Cuba regrets the Jamaican government's decision to cease medical cooperation, yielding to pressure from the United States.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba reports that, on March 4, the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed our Embassy in that country of its government's unilateral decision to terminate the health cooperation agreement that has linked both nations for decades.
With this action, the Jamaican government is yielding to pressure from the United States government, which is not concerned about the health needs of our Caribbean brothers and sisters.
Cuba deeply regrets this disregard for a history of fruitful and sustained collaboration that has brought countless benefits to the Jamaican people, who are now being deprived of the basic and specialized healthcare services provided by Cuban medical professionals.
In response to the Jamaican government's actions, the Cuban government has made the sovereign decision to proceed with the return of the Cuban Medical Brigade. These healthcare professionals leave behind an indelible mark and return to Cuba with the satisfaction of a duty fulfilled and a continued willingness to serve wherever their solidarity is needed.
Cuba's work in Jamaica is a clear example of genuine cooperation. In the last 30 years alone, more than 4,700 Cuban medical professionals have provided medical assistance on the Caribbean island. Currently, the Brigade is composed of 277 professionals whose work has had a tangible and profound impact on strengthening the Jamaican healthcare system.
The historical results of this collaboration speak for themselves:
• More than 8,176,000 patients treated.
• 74,302 surgical procedures performed.
• 7,170 births attended.
• More than 90,000 lives saved.
Furthermore, through Operation Miracle, which has been operating in Jamaica since 2010, the vision of approximately 25,000 Jamaicans has been restored or improved. Cuban cooperation has also been crucial in projects for the control and prevention of diseases such as malaria and in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The most recent example of this commitment was evident after Hurricane Melissa severely impacted the island. In those difficult circumstances, the Cuban Medical Brigade remained steadfast at their posts, many of its members working for more than 72 continuous hours and actively participating in the recovery efforts of hospitals and communities.
True to the historic bonds of brotherhood and solidarity that unite us with Jamaica, Cuba reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Jamaican people, who can always count on Cuba's selfless cooperation.
Havana, March 6, 2026.
